SA Blackout Report Outlines New Rules for Grid 2.0

The final report into South Australia’s state-wide blackout provides an important outline for how a high intermittent renewables grid needs to operate in the 21st century, the energy industry said today.

The Australian Energy Council’s Chief Executive, Matthew Warren, said the 19 recommendations made by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) “represent important lessons learnt from the increased unreliability of the SA grid seen over the past 18 months”.

“AEMO’s final report into the system black event in South Australia on 28 September last year is an important blueprint in how we will need to think differently about running the grid in the future.

“This is cutting edge thinking. AEMO finds itself at the leading edge of global experience in integrating renewables into modern electricity grids.

“This report is not only important for Australia, but for all electricity systems as they seek to decarbonise by using higher levels of intermittent generation. They too will be able to draw on the recent experience of the South Australian experiment,” Mr Warren said.

“AEMO’s report highlights the importance of properly co-ordinated national planning as we transform the electricity system this century. We need both policy and operational reforms to work hand in glove if we are to deliver the decarbonisation of electricity reliably and at the lowest cost.

“The market operator’s work reinforces the need for durable and integrated national climate and energy policy. Without that we will simply continue to play catch up to ensure the operating systems for the grid can handle new technical challenges.”

About the Australian Energy Council

The Council represents 21 major electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in competitive wholesale and retail energy markets. These businesses collectively generate the overwhelming majority of electricity in Australia and sell gas and electricity to over 10 million homes and businesses.

Media contact             Carl Kitchen                0401 691 342